18th Century Oval Plaster Relief On Silk Naughty Children Playing The Devil C 1795 RARE AF

This is a very rare, decorative George III period artwork. One of a pair, each being sold individually. This wonderful artwork originates in England during the 18th century, circa 1795. The relief moulded plaster/composition artwork features a group of children playing in a rural setting. This was a popular style of scene during the late 18th century. We are reminded of the stipple engravings by Charles William White. Also the 'Sportive Innocence' and 'Mischievous Sport' depictions found on prattware jugs and flasks of this period.

Please excuse reflections on the glass. In this scene we see a child holding a Bacchanalian or Devil mask to her friends. All of the children are running away in fear in this rather sinister little scene. This plaster artwork has been produced to the highest quality.

It is housed behind its original old, bubbled glass in its original oval gilt gesso, very DEEP frame. The red silk backing is a replacement. The backing paper features a stamp for Joseph and Barbara Volk’s, JA Nan gallery who repaired the reliefs and closed in 2002.

This is one of a pair, each sold separately. We have owned them for over 10+ years, we have had them on display since we purchased them all those years ago!

This is the perfect artwork for a collector.

Measuring: Frame width 9 ¼ inch (23.5 cm) by height 7 inch (18 cm). Aperture width 7 ¼ inch (19 cm) by height 4 7/8 inch (12.5 cm).

Condition: There is a vertical crack to one of the children’s feet, hand, sections near tree far left, the tree and section far right. There are some chips to the rim of the gilt gesso frame, there is a hairline crack to the rim only of the frame at 3 and 9 o’clock.

Item id:09499B